Labour moves swiftly to replace vacant cabinet role

The latest recruit to Wigan Council’s ruling cabinet has said she is looking forward to stepping up to the borough’s top table.

The Labour group has replaced Coun Paul Kenny with Ashton representative Coun Jenny Bullen following last week’s dispute.

Coun Bullen will take on the responsibility for the leisure and resources portfolio.

Speaking to the Observer, Coun Bullen - who was first elected to the chamber in 2015, said: “I’m pleased with my new role and will be supporting the council in all its work.

“There’s quite a lot going on (to do with the leisure portfolio) that’s very positive with lots of hard work already been done. I feel very privileged to be able to work for Wigan Council.”

Coun Bullen, who has previously served as vice-chair of the health and social care scrutiny committee, said she would prefer not to comment on the controversial circumstances in which she had been promoted.

The Ashton representative was also last year handed a role on the Greater Manchester combined authority, working alongside regional colleagues on the skills and employment committee.

Coun Kenny’s return to the council’s back-benches comes at a busy time for the leisure brief, with his replacement now tasked with overseeing the continued development of the Haigh Hall woodland park and the veterans’ hub.